Player Ratings: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Cambridge United

The only stat which was not resoundingly in Bolton Wanderers’ favour at full time was the score line. But, another win is all that matters from that perspective. Most of the lads hardly out a foot wrong all evening, onto the ratings.

Matt Gilks - 5

Gilks was comfortably coasting towards a high score. He was dealing with everything which came near him with ease, and with the exception of one first half clearance his distribution was good.

Then, out of no where, the ball went through him into and across the goal line. A fairly unforgivable mistake for a goalkeeper as the shot was not at all threatening and straight at him. It was one of those horrible slow motion moments. He maybe needs to stop watching highlights from the careers of Ian Walker and Rob Green.

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Bolton are not blowing teams away, winning by the odd goal, so it is imperative we do not hand teams the initiative. Thankfully, like with Gilks’ other howler a few weeks ago, we were able to come away with three points. On another day though, it could be a completely different story.

Gethin Jones - 9

Jones once again put in a brilliant performance down the right hand side, both defensively and when taking the game to Cambridge United. All we can ask is that he maintains his high performance levels for the vital run in.

Ricardo Santos - 9

Another strong display from, Santos who just cannot be dislodged from the ball or moved once he is shepherding it out.

What stood out for me today was his passing. He played a couple of glorious through balls which took half of the Cambridge team out of the equation. Then when a visitor tried to block off his passing route he simply bent the ball round him to an outrageous extent.

Alex Baptiste - 9

Baptiste continues to do exactly what is required of him defensively as well as carrying the ball forward nicely. Once again, just more of the same needed.

Declan John - 9

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Our best player? Quite possibly and once again he was superb. The quality of his cross from deep for Eoin Doyle in the first half was simply outstanding. It deserved to be turned home. He also whipped in a brilliant free kick, though no one quite anticipated it.

I really hope we can tie this man down for another season, but we will certainly need to get ourselves promoted to stand a chance.

MJ Williams - 9

Once again his ability to be in the right place and eye for a pass stood out. He is now arguably the key cog in a dominant midfield. Brilliant signing.

Kieran Lee - 9

Another who could make a good case for being our best player. Lee continues to look so classy and composed on the ball, with great vision. My one criticism would be I wanted to see him take on a man in the box and/or try a shot a couple of times, but maybe that just is not part of his game.

Nathan Delfouneso - 9

Delfouneso has been improving in terms of his contribution in recent games I fell and I think his qualities are starting to come to the fore again. He put in a busy performance carrying the ball and he is one of those players we need to take on a man and create space.

Hopefully he can continue his upward trajectory, and if he does he will be play a key role in this promotion push.

Antoni Sarcevic - 9

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Sarcevic put in a brilliant and energetic performance behind Doyle. Some of what he tried did not quite come off, but he was trying it in the right areas. He arrived at the right time and finished brilliantly for his goal.

A real captain’s performance in the mould of Super Kevin Davies, leading from the front and showing the levels of effort and commitment needed. This was something, in fairness, which was illustrated by every one of the starting XI.

Oladapo Afolayan - 9

The West Ham United loanee continues to grow his reputation at Bolton. He put in a brilliant performance going forward and was maybe unfortunate once again not to get a goal for his efforts. Just a matter of time until he nets one hopefully!

Eoin Doyle - 8

Scored a well taken goal to become Bolton’s highest league goal scorer in 20 years. He had a couple of other opportunities which you may have hoped he could put away. No complaints about his overall display, and he continues to do what is necessary to maintain his starting role.

Sub 1: Marcus Maddison - 5

I keep on hoping that Maddison will spark into life but it keeps on not happening for him. His introduction coincided with a bit of a drop off in the overall performance, but I am not going to place that at his door.

We all know there is a brilliant player in there. Maybe the extra time on the training ground, with an end of the Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday schedule, will help him to bed in and hit those heights.

Sub 2: George Thomason - 5

This may be a harsh score, but he was totally anonymous for me. It does not help that Bolton are dropping off when he comes in to be fair.

Sub 3: Arthur Gnahoua - 7

Made the biggest impact of those who came on though he did not dazzle in the way he did off the bench earlier in the season. This is probably because of the different position Bolton have been in, with a lead to protect rather than a game to fight back into.

Sub 5: Shaun Miller - 6

Another who did not really get all that involved following his introduction. This can probably be put down to Bolton dropping off a bit.